Serie B: Modena humble Parma in the derby, Venezia and Cremonese close the gap

There were several shock results in Serie B on Matchday 22, but the most significant of those came as table-toppers Parma lost heavily away to regional rivals Modena, again opening up the title race ahead of a huge game at the top with Venezia visiting the Stadio Ennio Tardini on Matchday 23.

The Crociati suffered a 3-0 defeat to the Canarini, allowing Cremonese and Venezia to close the gap to four points after their respective victories against Brescia and Ternana. It was not the only shock for the round as Feralpisalo smashed Lecco 5-1 while Como dropped to fourth after losing 2-0 to lowly Ascoli.

Meanwhile, Spezia earned an important victory, defeating Pisa 3-2 on the road. Most of the goals came in the first half and Daniele Verde in particular played a starring role for the Aquilotti.

Canarini take flight with victory against Parma

It seemed that Parma had little to worry about considering that they had a six-point lead at the top of Serie B prior to their clash against Modena, whereas their opponents were in ninth place. As has happened far too often for Parma in derbies against Modena and Reggiana in recent seasons, though, form counted for little and the Crociati never showed up.

The Canarini went in front after 16 minutes thanks to a thunderous Thomas Battistella effort from distance. They doubled their lead when Fabio Abiuso shook off one defensive challenge and dribbled past a defender before finishing. Fabio Ponsi sealed the win two minutes into the second half with a low strike after he was left unmarked at the back post.

Parma were given more freedom to attack in the second half, but a comeback was improbable. They remain on 45 points whereas the Canarini leap up to eighth with 31, surpassing Brescia in the process and getting into the playoff spots.

Verde dazzles in attack for Spezia

Since their relegation from Serie A, Spezia have had a torrid time in Serie B, and they could be at risk of suffering consecutive relegations. However, their victory away to Pisa has given them some hope and they had to thank their talisman Daniele Verde for the win.

Rachid Kouda opened the scoring for the Aquilotti in the 20th minute after Nerazzurri goalkeeper Nicolas failed to hold his shot. After Alessandro Arena was tripped in the penalty box, Ernesto Torregrossa equalised from the spot. It did not take long for the Ligurians to retake the lead with Verde producing a spectacular shot from just inside the penalty area that flew into the far corner.

Spezia extended their lead before half-time, when Pisa left-back Tomas Esteves placed his studs on Ales Mateju, and Verde converted the penalty with an audacious chip. Nicholas Bonifanti squandered an easy chance to score from close range in the second half before finally pulling it back to 3-2 in the 76th minute. He would have to rue that earlier miss as the Ligurians held on for the win.

Pisa are 13th with Sampdoria on 26 points, but Spezia are just six points behind. After Feralpisalo demolished Lecco, the Aquilotti are now equal 18th with the two Lombard clubs, and the teams above them might have to start worrying about being dragged into the relegation zone.

Serie B 2023/24: Matchday 22 results

Date	Serie B Fixtures/Results
Fri, Jan 26	Catanzaro 1-1 Palermo
Sat, Jan 27	Como 0-2 Ascoli
Sat, Jan 27	Cremonese 1-0 Brescia
Sat, Jan 27	Modena 3-0 Parma
Sat, Jan 27	Sudtirol 0-1 Cosenza
Sat, Jan 27	Venezia 1-0 Ternana
Sat, Jan 27	Bari 0-2 Reggiana
Sat, Jan 27	Feralpisalo 5-1 Lecco
Sat, Jan 27	Pisa 2-3 Spezia
Sun, Jan 28	Cittadella 1-2 Sampdoria

Serie B 2023/24: Table after Matchday 22

Pos	Club	MP	Pts
1	Parma	22	45
2	Cremonese	22	41
3	Venezia	22	41
4	Como	22	39
5	Cittadella	22	36
6	Palermo	22	36
7	Catanzaro	22	34
8	Modena	22	31
9	Brescia	22	29
10	Reggiana	22	28
11	Cosenza	22	27
12	Bari	22	27
13	Pisa	22	26
14	Sampdoria	22	26
15	Sudtirol	22	24
16	Ascoli	22	22
17	Ternana	22	21
18	Feralpisalo	22	20
19	Spezia	22	20
20	Lecco	22	20